Human Papillomavirus and Genital Warts Update

Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infections in the world. There are more than 100 different types of HPV, and some might lead to cancer. Other types can lead to very contagious genital warts as well as skin warts.

NIAID recently updated Sexually Transmitted Infections: Human Papillomavirus and Genital Warts. This fact sheet discusses how HPV is transmitted and describes some of the infection’s symptoms. HPV prevention through a recently approved vaccine is also discussed.

Next Steps
You can read Sexually Transmitted Infections: Human Papillomavirus and Genital Warts by visiting http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/human_papillomavirus/index.htm.